Hamilton was seen for the first time since switching from Ferrari as Mercedes unveiled a new car

LEWIS HAMILTON has spoken about his decision to leave Mercedes after unveiling the team's challenger for the 2024 season.

Hamilton stunned F1 when he announced that he would leave Mercedes after eleven years to join Ferrari in 2025.

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He told the shocking news to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff last month during a breakfast at the Austrian's home in Oxford.

Hamilton, 39, will now end his contract with Mercedes and says he is still committed to helping them get back on the top step of the podium.

Hamilton said at Silverstone ahead of the team's shakedown with teammate George Russell: 'It was obviously emotional.

“It's very surreal to be here. I came here in 2013, 11 years with the team, this is the start of my 12th.

“The focus throughout winter training is on getting the team back to where we once were.

“We have had a number of difficult years, which have really formed a basis for us.

“It's a privilege to work with people and see the work they are doing this winter.

“This is the most exciting part of the year. To know everything under the hood, what George and I will be able to experience on the track. It's exciting.”

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Mercedes unveiled their 2024 challenger on Wednesday, with Wolff admitting they “have a mountain to climb”.

Hamilton and Russell took part in a special filming day to give the W15 car its first test drive on the Silverstone circuit.

It comes after the team has won just one race in the past two years as Red Bull's Max Verstappen has dominated the sport.

After designing two blind cars, Wolff is now hopeful that their latest creation will put them back on the top step of the podium.

He said: “We know we have a mountain to climb to fight right at the front. There are no miracles in this sport.

“But our ambition and determination are strong. Since we set out this new course, development has made good progress.

“We had several items on our priority list for this car. We will soon see whether we have taken the step we had in mind.

'As the saying goes, if it stings, it sticks. I believe that the last two years have been necessary to adjust, recalibrate and reinvent ourselves in certain areas.

“That carrot-and-branch approach is never easy. But we have made progress and look forward to taking the next step with the W15. It won't be a linear path, but if we stumble, we will get back up and keep climbing.”

The season starts in two weeks in Bahrain, which will be Hamilton's last before he makes the switch to Ferrari.

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Unlike their rivals who made their drivers all immediately available, Mercedes opted for a digital-only launch, meaning Wolff and their drivers were unavailable for questions.

Their focus was therefore solely on the recovery and the team's ambitions for this season.

In an otherwise dull press release, Hamilton is quoted as saying: 'The lessons of the past two years have helped us find our direction.

“It has allowed us to find our north star. It will still be a work in progress, but we will face the challenges that arise with our heads held high and an open mind and work on them diligently.”

Russell said: “We have learned and grown as a team over the last two seasons.

“It hasn't been smooth sailing, but I truly believe the journey we have been on will make us stronger in the long run.

“The entire team has worked extremely hard and we hope to have taken a step forward with the W15.”